The Celestron 8" CGEM telescope has a full 203.2 mm (8") aperture operating at a focal length of 2032 mm (80") to provide a focal ratio of f/10. Premium StarBright XLT coatings give a limiting magnitude of 14 with an outstanding .57 arc seconds of resolution.

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Some 40 years ago, Celestron founder - Tom Johnson - introduced the first Celestron C8 telescope into the amateur astronomy market and began a revolution. Now, Celestron's CGEM-800 takes performance to a new level beginning with the extreme optical quality of the 8" Schmidt Cassegrian combined with Starbright XLT coatings mounted on Celestron's newly engineered and innovative CGEM mount. This new take on a tried and true design has given the world another Celestron "classic" - one capable of carrying the load securely and vibration free... and taking both astro imaging and visual observing to new heights.

With a telescope capable of gathering 843X more light than the human eye, the precise f/10 optics of the Celestron C8 SCT offer up an incredible .57 arc seconds of resolution spread out over a 0.62 ° angular field of view. With a limiting magnitude factor of 14 and a practical magnification limit of 480X, we're talking about a telescope able to deliver remarkable planetary and lunar views. When sky permits, you can expect to see details like delicate divisions in Saturn's ring structure, details on Mars and follow Jupiter events like shadow transits and Great Red Spot appearances with ease. Star clusters will transform into well-resolved facets, galaxies will take on structure and difficult double stars will yield their companions. With a low end magnification limit of 29X, just add a wide field eyepiece, or open both eyes wide with Celestron Stereo Binocular Viewers and enjoy panoramic vistas of extended nebulae and sweep the heavens for every last photon!

What sets the 8" Celestron CGEM 11097 apart from competitor models is simplicity and durability. The 8" CGEM was designed to be ergonomically friendly with large Altitude and Azimuth adjustment knobs for quick and easy procedures and adjustments. The intuitive All-Star system allows users to choose any bright star from the NexStar hand control, while the software calculates and assists with polar alignment. Then, just kick back and enjoy. The CGEM-800 database will provide over 40,000 objects, 100 user defined programmable objects and enhanced information on over 200 objects for your celestial viewing pleasure.

But it's more than just to "GoTo" functions which will make the Celestron CGEM 800 SCT telescope one of the most worthy optical investments you'll ever consider... It's the design qualities which make this telescope last that count. Unlike less expensive models, the Celestron CGEM Schmidt-Cassegrain mechanism that moves the primary mirror to adjust focus is supported by two pre-loaded ball bearings, minimizing the "mirror flop" typical of bushing focus mechanisms. There's nothing to get dragged or snagged during set-up or transportation because the RA and Dec motor wiring is all internal. The drive incorporates a low cog DC Servo motor with integrated optical encoders which ensure smooth, quiet operation and long life... a the motor armatures are skewed to minimize cogging which is required for low speed tracking. Precision machined 40mm diameter steel polar shafts are supported by multiple tapered roller bearings and ball bearings while the mount utilizes a steel worm gear and 90mm pitch diameter brass worm wheel. Even a secure power plug is employed, so the mount's 12V DC 1.5 Amp power source can't be accidentally disconnected. The Celestron CGEM800 comes equipped with a car battery adapter, but you'll find this telescope so fascinating you might just want to add a AC adapter or Celestron Power Tank, too!

Still more? Then consider the many features that make the Celestron CGEM a "gem" for astrophotography, too. It can be as simple as adding a Celestron NexImage Solar System Imager to the CGEM-800, or even just adapting a digital camera. Not only will it track well past the meridian for uninterrupted imaging through the most ideal part of the sky, but the Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) will allow users to train out the worm gears periodic errors, while the mount retains the PEC recordings. Autoguide port and auxiliary ports are conveniently located on the electronic plate for long exposure astrophotography and include a designated six-pin RJ-12 modular jack and ST-4 compatible guide port. You'll find an RS-232 communication port on hand control to control the telescope via a personal computer and NexRemote telescope control software, for advanced control. Software features include; mount calibration, database filter limits, hibernate, five alignment procedures, and user-defined slew limits. What's even better is that it's all flash upgradeable. Just connect to the Internet to update your hand control software and motor control units. You can even add an optional Celestron GPS unit!

The Celestron CGEM 800 carries on the Celestron C8 tradition of performance, durability and value. Major colleges and universities worldwide use Celestron telescopes in their astronomy programs and the Celestron telescope line has been chosen over all competing models by NASA to be taken on several space shuttle research missions. Why not add a Celestron SkyScout to the fun? Carry on the trend started by the 2009 International Year of Astronomy with Celestron and bring that kind of quality home to your backyard tonight...

Customer Reviews 1 item(s)

All I can say is WOW! I made the jump from a 6 reflector on a cheap mount to this scope and have not looked back. The views are nothing short of amazing. I'm enjoying learning how to operate the mount and the tracking of the CGEM is great. The mount is rock solid and I don't think I will out-grow it. I am looking to get a refractor in about a year or so to ride this mount as well. The features that this scope and mount have are top notch. The sales staff at OPT have been patient and have guided me through my thought process as I made my decision on a purchase. They were never pushy, they wanted me to get the right scope for me and never tried to sell me something just to make a sale. For every question I had they their response was thoughtful and made me think of my wants' in a scope. I was all over the map, but finally honed in on this scope and I'm gald I did. Mike runs a good shop there and Keith helped me pull it all together. I also picked up OPT's Gold Eyepiece set as well. It's a great assortment of well thought out eyepieces that only compliment my new scope. I'm a customer for life for the level of service from OPT...Thanks Guys. Bob